It was a colourful, unabashed display of gay pride. More than two thousand members of the city's queer community took part in the fourth Queer Azaadi March organised on Saturday.

It was a colourful, unabashed display of gay pride. More than two thousand members of the city's queer community took part in the fourth Queer Azaadi March organised on Saturday.

Donning colourful headgear, quirky costumes and carrying posters, the city's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community walked from the August Kranti Maidan near Gowalia Tank to Girgaum Chowpatty. "For the first time, we had a big turnout of lesbians who were not afraid to mask their faces," said Sonia Singhal, 27.

Holding up placards with slogans such as "Hum hon-gay kamyaab", the parade covered the 2.5km stretch, with even a few senior citizens joining in. "This day could well be called our independence day. Being gay is not a matter of shame, and I hope more couples come out in the open," said Hiren Carvalho, 61.

"Everyone has the right to choose and live with their life partners," said Chaaya Joisher, who was passing by when she hopped off her cab to join the march.